On Friday, July 25, 2025, at approximately 10:30 a.m., investigators with the Burke County Sheriff’s Office located and
apprehended William Chase Pate at a residence located at 8435 Joseph Burns Road in Connelly Springs, NC.
Pate was wanted on Federal Drug Indictments stemming from an ongoing narcotics investigation initiated in Burke County
in December 2024.
The Indictment was for (F) Trafficking in Methamphetamine, (F) PWISD Methamphetamine, (F) Possess
Methamphetamine, (F) Possess Firearm by a Felon and (M) Possess Drug Paraphernalia. During a search incident to his
arrest, investigators discovered that Pate was in possession of a substance believed to be Fentanyl.
As a result, William Chase Pate was charged with Felony Possession of Fentanyl and transported to the Burke County Jail.
He is currently being held without bond. A first appearance in court is scheduled for Monday, July 28, 2025.
Summary:
On December 12, 2024, after a several month-long investigation, Burke County Sheriff’s Office and Morganton Department of Public
Safety SWAT Teams executed a search warrant on the property and residence of William “Chase” Pate located at 4250 South Fork
Avenue Hickory, in the jurisdiction of Burke County. After the residence(s) were secured, multiple agencies including the NCDOP- State
K-9, NC SBI, The ATF, Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, Hickory Police Department, Morganton Department of Public Safety and the
Burke County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search of Pate’s property. During the search of the residence, officers, agents, and
investigators discovered multiple items of drug paraphernalia including but not limited to, small plastic baggies, glass pipes, straws and
similarly related items scattered throughout the residence along with US Currency and packaging materials consistent with the
trafficking of Narcotics. In addition to these items of paraphernalia, more than a Kilogram or 2.2 pounds+ of Methamphetamine was
found along with multiple firearms. Pate was transported to the Magistrate’s Office and charged with Trafficking in Methamphetamine,
PWISD Methamphetamine, Possess Methamphetamine, Firearm by Felon and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, where he received a
$100,00.00 secured bond and a first appearance for December 13, 2024.
